Mark Wahlberg’s Son Turns 16 – and Fans Think He’s a Carbon Copy of Uncle Donnie!

Mark Wahlberg and his older brother Donnie have long been fixtures in the public eye—Mark as a Hollywood heavyweight with hits like The Departed, Donnie as a New Kids on the Block heartthrob turned Blue Bloods star. Born into a sprawling Irish-Catholic family of nine in Dorchester, Boston, the Wahlberg brothers share a tight bond that’s spilled over into their next generation. Now, fans are buzzing about a striking resemblance between Mark’s son Brendan and his uncle Donnie, a connection that’s lit up social media and underscored the family’s enduring genetic stamp.

A Birthday Post Sparks a Conversation

The chatter kicked off on September 16, 2024, when Mark posted an Instagram photo celebrating Brendan’s 16th birthday. Captured at a wrestling match, the shot showed father and son side by side, with Mark writing, “Happy b day Benny!!!🥳❤️🥳 16 wow🙏❤️🙏.” The comments section erupted with well-wishes—and comparisons. While many fans saw Mark’s mini-me in Brendan’s features, others zeroed in on a different Wahlberg. “He looks like his Uncle Donnie a bit,” one follower noted, echoing a sentiment that’s cropped up before. People reported on the post, highlighting how some fans bypassed Mark to peg Brendan as Donnie’s lookalike, a theory that gained traction as the photo circulated.

This wasn’t the first time. Back in March 2023, Today’s Parent flagged a similar reaction to a UFC fight night snap Mark shared, with a commenter remarking, “Fun times. He looks like his Uncle Donnie a bit.” By September 2024, Yahoo! Entertainment chimed in, noting that while Brendan’s resemblance to Mark was “undeniable,” fans couldn’t help but draw lines to Donnie, with remarks like “Twin” popping up alongside Donnie mentions. The latest buzz, recapped by AOL on March 17, 2025, cemented the trend: Brendan’s jawline, eyes, or maybe that Wahlberg swagger had fans seeing double—only with a different brother.

Genetics and Family Ties

Mark, 53, and Donnie, 55, hail from a clan shaped by parents Alma Elaine Donnelly and Donald Edmond Wahlberg Sr. Mark’s brood with wife Rhea Durham includes Brendan, born September 16, 2008, alongside Ella Rae, Michael, and Grace Margaret. Donnie, meanwhile, has sons Xavier and Elijah from his marriage to Kimberly Fey, and is stepdad to Jenny McCarthy’s son, Evan. The Wahlbergs’ reality show Wahlburgers (2014–2019) gave fans a front-row seat to their boisterous family dynamic, spotlighting resemblances that seem to ripple through generations.

Brendan’s not the first Wahlberg kid to spark lookalike talk, but his link to Donnie stands out. Maybe it’s the shared family traits—those sharp features or the confident posture—that fans latch onto. Mark and Donnie themselves have been called twins by onlookers, like at a June 2024 Boston Celtics game where People captured their brotherly vibe. That closeness, paired with genetics, might explain why Brendan, now 16 and stepping into his own, mirrors his uncle as much as his dad.

A Public Family, A Public Fascination

The Wahlbergs thrive on visibility, whether it’s Mark’s action-hero flexes or Donnie’s cop-drama grit. Their openness—think Donnie’s December 2024 People reflection on cherishing sibling time with Mark—invites fans to play armchair genealogist. Brendan’s milestone birthday only amplified that scrutiny, with Instagram serving as the perfect stage. Comments like “Benny just like his dad ❤️” jostled alongside “he looks like Donnie,” painting a picture of a teen caught between two Wahlberg legacies.

It’s a phenomenon bigger than one post. Celebrity families often ignite these debates, and the Wahlbergs, with their high-profile kinship, are prime targets. Donnie’s own words about family—“It’s everything,” he told People—echo in Brendan’s resemblance, a living bridge between uncles and nephews, brothers and sons.

More Than a Mirror

For fans, spotting Donnie in Brendan isn’t just about looks—it’s a nod to a family that’s weathered fame together. Mark’s pride in his “Benny” and Donnie’s steady presence as the cool uncle weave a narrative that transcends a single photo. As Brendan grows, the Wahlberg genes keep the conversation alive, proving that in this Boston-bred dynasty, resemblance is more than skin deep—it’s a legacy of love, loud and clear.